Eosinophil count and biologic treatment

[Scottiedog11]

Can anyone explain to me what an eosinophil count of 1.1 means? My asthma has been very out of control since the beginning of the year, consequently I’ve had lots of oral steroids. I’m now being referred for biologic treatment. Not looking forward to it as it involves being in hospital all morning. Anyone else had to go through this?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

So 1.1 is a relatively high e-count. For bios you need 0.3/0.4 (depending on drug) to be eligible. If your asthmas been really uncontrolled what may have been happening (and how it was described to me) is that you’re producing too many Eos and they are in turn attacking your lungs...

I’m on bios (been through a few). If they’re referring to a spec hosp, initially there will likely be a few checks and appts and things like going through your history and experiences etc. Js706 has gone into it quite well here; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk... (sorry just realised you’re already under a spec hosp 😅. Will leave this here for anyone else tho ☺️)

Once that’s happened generally you only have to stay for the first few doses to make sure no allergy, then after a few goes most of the bios can be self-administered at home (exceptions being resilizumab which is an iv drop, and dupilumab which is new and on early access atm).

Hope this helps

[Scottiedog11 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you, that’s very helpful. I’m going into the Royal Brompton to have my treatment on the 1st October. I’ve been told I have to wait 3 hours afterwards. My e- count was taken in February. I’m very lucky to be under their care.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Scottiedog11]

Yeah. That’s normal for the first few doses as I said (when I first started MABs it was every stab as home admin wasn’t a thing, but after the first few it was at max an hour). Take a book or something to watch. They have internet 😉. Nothing to worry about. Its a tad boring but take entertainment and nourishment (esp drinks as when I was there you could self-serve hot drinks but cold was usually water. Lunch was usually a nhs sandwich so if you want something else take that too or wait it out 😉).

[HannahBenson]

Hi Scottiedog11

Yes, I am on a biologic now and have been for over a year...get an injection once a month. My eosinophils would go up to 15 or 17 ...and then the inflammation would be so terrible that I could hardly breathe ..would then have to go back on steroids but as soon as I stopped Prednisone...the inflammation and asthma would return...The biologic brought my eosinophil count to 0.... I finally was able to stop prednisone over a year ago. It gave me my life back and I don't have any ill effects from it. So far, it continues to work. Good luck! Hannah